Pay up for our songs!

By HT

New Delhi, July 17 -- A whole bunch of upcoming films have titles lifted from popular songs, and lyricists are in no mood to take it lightly. Some of these films include Prabhudheva's Ramaiya Vastavaiya, David Dhawan's Main Tera Hero, Hrithik and Katrina starrer Bang Bang and Subhash Ghai's Kaanchi.

While Ramaiya Vastavaiya is taken from a popular song from Shree 420 (1955); Main Tera Hero is taken from the lyrics of the track, Subah Hone Na De, from Desi Boyz (2011). While experts feel this only shows the lack of originality, song writers say it's high time the industry gave them due credit and royalty.

"Movie dialogues and songs do become the language of the people and strike an instant connect, but I think intellectual property practices in India should be more well-defined. For example, my song 'Sasural Genda Phool' later became the title of a TV show, but I didn't get anything for it or for 'Masti ki Paathshala' (borrowed from his song in Rang De Basanti), also a TV show. No one seeks permission before using these," says lyricist Prasoon Joshi.

Song writer Swanand Kirkire agrees. "Lyricists should be given their due because it is their creativity, after all. Kam se kam credit toh milna hi chahiye! The copyright laws and their implementation should be made stronger in India."

Filmmakers have a different take. "We only need to register the title with the film association. Aise toh kitne phrases hai, for example, 'Deewana main deewana' is a general phrase which can be used as a movie title and is also part of many songs. How many phrases can you copyright?" says a producer, wishing not to be named